By Anthony A. Araos
If you are obsessed with a rice terraces farther away from Banaue town in Ifugao, the breathtaking views of Mapahoy Rice Terraces in Mayoyao is a great destination for you. Partake of the rare experience of revisiting history by visiting Mapahoy Rice Terraces.
I always make it a point to recommend a visit to Mapahoy Rice Terraces to my friends in the Philippines and other countries. To my mind, it is an excellent destination for local and foreign tourists. In fact, I batted for its inclusion in the Department of Tourism’s “new destinations” list.
Arguably, the strong appeal of Mapahoy Terraces to domestic and international travelers would be more problematic for Banaue tourism industry advocates were it not for the intensive damage incurred by the town’s rice terraces.
When history looks back to this period of inability to act on the problems faced by these rice terraces I’m sure that the possible action to be taken by Mayor Jimmy Padchanan Jr. on the rehabilitation of the town’s rice terraces would easily figure as one of the defining moments of his administration and a prime example of good governance.
By the way, I obtained recently the information regarding the visit of Simone Ricca to Banaue and Mayoyao. He is reportedly meeting with Ifugao Cultural Heritage Office (ICHO) head Nora Luglug . From Batad Rice Terraces in Banaue, Mr. Ricca shall visit the Mapahoy Rice Terraces during his two-day visit. ICHO personnel shall provide all-out assistance during the site visit of Mr. Ricca. Hopefully, Mrs. Luglug shall be able to provide a report as to the information on needs, vulnerabilities and perceptions on further risks Mayoyao’s Rice Terraces are facing, all to be collected during the site visit at the Mayoyao cluster by Mr. Ricca as ably assisted by the ICHO.
The ICHO is a vital arm of the provincial government. The provincial government has a primary responsibility to prevent and reduce risk of rice terraces damage due to giant earthworms, landslides and soil erosion. The Mapahoy Rice Terraces is one of the four UNESCO-declared World Heritage Sites in Ifugao. The others are in Banaue, Hngduan and Kiangan. Banaue, during the incumbency of Mayor Jerry Dalipog who reportedly received funds amounting to Php108 million for the rehabilitation of the Batad Rice Terraces. Dalipog is now the governor of Ifugao. Sadly, there was none for Mayoyao.
I’m scared of the consequences of not protecting Mayoyao’s famed rice terraces, but I’m not going to stay in the background and do nothing about it. I’ll earnestly do my humble and fair share to save these rice terraces.
The deterioration of the conditions of Mapahoy Rice Terraces and others in Ifugao is the ultimate result of the colossal failure of the provincial government in the past to tap the expertise of the private sector in solving the problem. It should spur all of the people into action to fight each day against the elements that destroyed the uniqueness of the rice terraces.
Even as I call on Ifugao Rep. Solomon Chungalao to come to the rescue of the endangered rice terraces in Mayoyao and it is quite timely.
Mayoyao is largely a farming town. While other major towns in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and other regions in the Philippines are on the rise, Mayoyao’s growth is anemic thanks to the lack of support by the provincial government and the national government in the past that drew away younger people from engaging in farming. Many are frustrated and bewailed the government’s failure to provide irrigation systems, farm-to-market roads and post-harvest facilities. Many are saying there’s no hope in rehabilitating these rice terraces.
I’m not one of them.
The truth is: There are solutions to Mayoyao’s Rice Terraces woes. Once solved, these rice terraces shall serve as a viable jump-off point to surrounding attractions. There are a number of sites that the town can offer to visitors. This is precisely the reason why I’m encouraging more foreign tourists to visit Mayoyao.
Legislated action at Congress through the initiative of Congressman Chungalao for the creation of the IfugaoRice Terraces Rehabilitation Commission is a step in the right direction. Among others, the Commission will look for funding sources to help rehabilitate the rice terraces.
I’m willing to help draft the House Bill.
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So what can SangguniangKabataan (SK) officials expect to learn from a “sack race” during the Ifugao SK Provincial Federation (SKPF) “Linggo ng Kabataan” (Youth Week) program on Sept. 13-15? Nothing! Frankly, it would be a “waste of money.” Rather than utilize public funds for a “sack race,” the focus of elevating their capabilities should be on leadership training activities such as holding a forum. Above all, inclusion of the “sack race” in the so-called “ethnic games” is unthinkable. Planners of the activity should rethink and go back to the drawing board, mindful of the meaning behind the “ethnic games.” It would be a “folly” on the part the SKPF to do it. Participants are to turn themselves as a “laughing stock” if they take part in the “sack race.” If a “sack race” does seem a good fit, perhaps, a “Trip to Jerusalem” game is just as appealing.
Growth into political maturity requires serious effort on the part of the SKPF. But if the SKPF is serious and genuine in its goal, can we expect to do anything else?
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The debate on whether or not to release former Calauan, Laguna mayor Antonio Sanchez, convicted rapist-murderer in the case involving twoUniversity of the Philippines-Los Banos (UPLB) students 26 years ago, rages to this day. Foreign Secretary Teddy Locsin said: “He deserves to die in his cell.” Sanchez fanatics are saying otherwise. They want him out arguing the law on “good behavior” of prisoners is applicable to Sanchez. Well, I have a win-win solution. Release him but, include Sanchez in the list of the more than 6,000 Filipinos killed in the anti-drug drive of President Duterte. Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go in an interview with GMA News motioned: “Kung gusto mong lumabas sa kulungan, baka lalong umikli lang ang buhay mo.” (“If you want to get out of prison, you may just cut short your life.”). That’s a clear warning to Sanchez. If he doesn’t heed Sen. Go’s advice: Sanchez should get a bullet-proof vest and helmet!
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Over the years, state-operated universities and colleges like the Ifugao State University (IFSU) are playing catch-up games with their counterparts in Metro Manila. Hence, the need to prioritize initiatives to enhance learning through mobile and digital technologies and it isn’t surprising why they’re lagging behind in many aspects.
Apparently, some IFSU officials are concerned about the promotion of indigenous knowledge. Although this seems to be a logical concern, this undermines the fact that the global order already is dictating how education throughout the world evolves. Henceforth, the need to have a new mindset on how to meet the challenges of the times.
While it is gratifying that IFSU is going to make the teaching of indigenous knowledge a priority, I do not expect much to result from it. The effort’s stumbling block is the fact that the nation’s education sector is already heavily influenced by information technology in a globalized world. Agriculture students today live in a world where farming is best understood and appreciated in terms of high yields of crops due to modern technology. They are taught what to do in a mechanized farming environment. Why shouldn’t they be taught the difference between three crop planting practice and one-time harvest of “tinawon rice”? Given the Ifugao folk’s fetish on age-old, backward practices in tilling the soil and low financial returns derived from such practices, I do not see anything of note can come out of this mindset.
Can IFSU officials ever imagine their graduates going to work in Makati, London, Tokyo, Singapore or New York City? A lot in that query is worth unpacking. Let us not forget that the call to elevate the standard of education at IFSU for it to be at par with the other institutions in Baguio City and the National Capital Region by adopting its thrust of learning mode in the contemporary times has a realistic optimistic vision of finally propelling growth and development in underserved villages in Ifugao. This challenge is liberating for those who have been crushed by poverty and hunger, and gives poor students the chance to pause and reflect on their role in bringing better lives for their families. After all, education is known as the great equalizer. With it, those from the lower classes of society have a tool to climb the socio-economic ladder and eventually narrow the gap between the rich and the poor. First and foremost, cash-starved parents of IFSU students opted to send them there because they can’t afford Saint Louis University in Baguio City or Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.
Efforts should be exerted to ensure that IFSU students make it big nationally and globally. This means giving those updated teaching platforms geared to the needs of the future and not of the past.
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Costillas, Gazebo Express and CBM Restaurant have something in common. These three upper-middle income bracket restaurants operated for a while in Lagawe and a little later folded up. Likewise, these establishments operated in the same place along a highway of Barangay Poblacion East. This reflected the obvious lack of rudimentary business wisdom of their owners.
The DTI-Ifugao Office continues to play an important role in the development of MSMEs in Lagawe and educating entrepreneurs on ways to optimize their growth in the industry and protect their businesses. Ifugao business owners have the opportunity to reap returns that will sustain their operations by adopting out-of-the-box formulas in their business operations.
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Finally, some thoughts for our readers: “I will guide you to the very end, for I will be your God forever.” Ps 48:14
“They wrote a speech for me to give you. But speeches are boring.” Pope Francis, the Argentine Pontiff
“I understand what it’s like to go to hospitals where there’s no medicine—and the best thing you can give patients is compassion.” American actress Sharon Stone
“Whoever therefore shall humble himself in this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4
“Poor people who lack education are vulnerable to poll cheating.” Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo
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